COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY OF SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA

NOVEMBER 26, 2002 12:00 p.m.

The Organizational Meeting of the City Council of the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana, was called to order by Presiding Officer Mike Gibson, at 12 Noon, Tuesday, November 26, 2002, in the Government Chambers in Government Plaza (505 Travis Street).

Invocation was given by Dr. Artis Cash.

On Roll Call, the following members were Present: Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, Jackson, Lester and Walford. 7. Absent: None.

Remarks by Presiding Officer

Councilman Gibson: As Presiding Officer today for this meeting, I'd like to welcome all and would like to say we are honored that you have joined us today. First I'd like to make a few comments and I'll be brief, Monty.

I'd like to recognize those City Councilmen that finished their service to the City this morning. They've truly laid the ground work for us (new City Councilmen). I'd like to publicly recognize the efforts of that City Council: Pearl Huckaby, Pat Spigener, Thomas Carmody, John David Stewart, Joe Shyne, Phil Serio and Roy Burrell. And if I could, I'd ask for a moment of silence, over this last four years for the service that he's done on the City Council and also the work to this community I like a moment of silence for Hilry Huckaby III who we lost just recently.

Those outgoing City Councilmen and the Administration have accomplished a lot over the last four years. Obviously this morning in the comments Mr. Mayor that you had, we appreciate the leadership that you've given this City. Accomplishments like: Entertainment District, Hollywood and Hotel Complexes, the Downtown Development Authority taking over the parking for this City in order to move issues forward with a new parking garage, pay increases for our Police and Fire Departments personnel, the Bayou Walk and other retail establishments in this community. Broadening the efforts of the Art Councils and the Red River Revel, Airport renovations project, Biomedical Research, Independence Stadium Renovations, park improvements; Regionalization efforts that this Administration and prior Council set in working with our State and Federal Governments, the General Motors Expansion. Obviously there was a pace that was set by that past City Council that I think that we have some big shoes to fill.

Now, I'd like to congratulate each of my peers. They ran a hard campaign this summer and all of us are glad, I know, that, that campaign is over with. I think that we got the direction from our constituents in our Districts and obviously have some challenges. I'm excited from District D representative about Shreveport's future with all of my new colleagues. This new City Council, if we haven't counted, the average age is 42 years old. I think that bodes well in the fact that we can reach out to both the younger generation and bridge gaps between the more experienced generation in Shreveport. But 42 years, I'm on the upper end Mr. Green along with Mr. Walford, we're at the top edge of the bracket and so we're out numbered by our younger peers.

I believe this is an opportunity to bridge between the City's generation or bridge gaps between our City's generation. The Mayor began a campaign a couple of years ago, an admirable campaign to"Bring the Kids Home". I think the challenge that we have is to keep the kids that we have in Shreveport and compliment and use their talents in terms of ambassadorships to bring those others that have left Shreveport in the past, back to Shreveport.

I am confident that this cross section of City Council experience will continue to bridge bridges and opportunities for the great City of Shreveport by utilizing the talents of our local businesses and also the talents of our younger and more experienced citizens. Its obviously a big challenge to manage a budget that we are fixin' to embark, almost $350 million. We have some true professionals in our Administration. I think the challenge we have as City Council is to trust in that professional experience and professional judgement and to use those talents that we have on City Council to compliment what the Mayor and the Administration have. I know I can speak for each and everyone of us, we have a true challenge before us, but the benefit for all of us is, that truly there has been some ground plowed that makes planting the seeds a lot easier.

I'd like to move on to the election of officers. Well, before I do that, I'd like to step back real quick. Each of us got a note from Art regarding some housekeeping issues, I think Historically, we get caught up in the moment in terms of being able to have the opportunity to get on record a little bit about our backgrounds and if I could, I'd like to just take a couple of seconds and recognize starting on my left, Reverend Jackson to kind of give a little brief overview of your background and what district you represent and anything else you'd like to add for the record.

Councilman Jackson: Well, I'm Theron Jackson is my name representing District G. I don't know specifically what background you want, but currently I serve as Interim Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs at Southern University. Also, I Pastor Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Greenwood. Formerly an entrepreneur and have background in not only entrepreneurship, but spent some time at the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in Business and Economically Development and prior to that, right after college, spent the first four years in the Insurance and Financial Services Business; so, I hope that will suffice. I'm a graduate of La Tech University as well.

Councilman Green: I'm James Green, City Councilman for District F, the Pastor of Union Mission Baptist Church. Graduate of Baptist Christian College, Personal Development Trainer and that's about it.

Councilman Hogan: I'm Jeff Hogan, I'm representative for District E. And Mr. Thompson asked us to give our age to, I'm 40 years old and I was born and raised here in Shreveport and I'm proud of this City and I can't wait to serve. I'm a Real Estate Broker, that's what I do for a living, I have rental property. I'm married to the former Sherrie Simmons and we have three beautiful daughters: Hannah, age 6, Rachel, age 3 and Holly, age 9 months.

Councilman Lester: My name is Calvin Lester, I'm the representative for City Council District A. I'm an attorney here in Shreveport. I'm a graduate of Southern University- Baton Rouge as well as Southern University Law Center. I'm married. My wife Sheila Lester is here, we have twins, Calvin III and Caley Bernice. My background of course is Law. I formerly served as an officer of the Shreveport-Bossier African-American Chamber of Commerce. I'm very excited about our service, the opportunity to do some things positive in the community and I'm all inspired that I'm sitting in the seat of my mentor, the late Hilry Huckaby III.

Councilman Walford: I'm Monty Walford, I represent District B. I'm the old man of the Council, I'm 56 years old. I'm a native Shreveporter. I've lived here all but eight years. I went to high school in Oklahoma, went to college and came to Shreveport when I was released from active duty from the Army. I've operated an aircraft supply business here since 1971 and frankly I'm just really excited about Shreveport.

I recently found out that my grandfather immigrated to Shreveport from the United Kingdom and we were able, on the Ellis Island web site to track his ship and everything that he came over on and I think he's neat that he picked Shreveport to come to just before the turn of the century and established a business here and lived here the rest of his life. And I'm really proud to be here. My wife Lynn is out in the audience and I'm here in large part because of her help.

Councilman Carmody: I'm Thomas Carmody, I'm 41 years old. I'm also a long time Shreveporter, 4^th generation. I grew up in Broadmoor, attended St Joseph, went to Jesuit, graduated from Louisiana State University. I have served as City Councilman for District C for the last four years and am very thankful that my constituency was pleased enough with my work to put me back here on the Council and I'm looking forward to working with you gentleman. Oh, I must mention, excuse me, my dear wife Wendy and our newly adopted little girl, Rose Marie.

Councilman Gibson: Let's see, how many kids do we have on this Council?

Councilman Jackson: Well since I was first, I didn't know what all the parameters were, so, I'd be remised if I didn't introduce my wife. Rhonda is here as well and we have two children, my son Christian who is 5 and my daughter Cameron who is 3 and I am 33.

Councilman Gibson: I'm Mike Gibson, I'm 43, one of the I guess, third oldest or second oldest on this Council. But I'm a native of Shreveport. I had a chance to move back to my hometown in 1996. Married to my wife for 13 years, Rachel and we have a son, Zachary 4 and a daughter, Nicole, 9.

I'm the Executive Director for Associated General Contractors, I'm very proud to say I'm the first construction-oriented person in 40 years to serve on the City Council. Looking forward to working with each of you. I think that obviously we have a number of kids, so that when we have a Council picnic, we definitely are going to be able to deck it out quite a bit.

Its going to be a pleasure working with you, working with Mayor Hightower, working with CAO Ken Antee and Art did we fulfill your suggestion.

Mr. Thompson: Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer. The reason for, for the public and for the record that I suggested that you do this is, we have City Council minutes that go back more than 160 years and I was thinking that 160 years from now, people will at least get a flavor of what this Council was all about, who the people were, the districts they represented, and we'll have something in the official minutes. When we go back and look at the minutes now, we don't find any biographical information, so this was an attempt to put some biographical information in our minutes and this organizational meeting so that people in the future will know who you were.

Councilman Gibson: Mr. Thompson, I appreciate that. Again, your staff is always looking out for us in a lot of different ways and I know you'll continue to do that cause we will need all the help we can get. Any other comments from the Council?

Councilman Mr. Jackson: Yes, Councilman Green didn't say how old he was.

Councilman Lester: Neither did I and for the record, I guess that would make me the young one of the bunch, I'm 32.

Councilman Green: Normally, I don't tell my age until Christmas, but my wife if Vernie Green. I have 2 grandchildren and I have 2 children; I'm 51.

Councilman Gibson: Again, I think we bring a cross section of experience, diversity and of which this City is continued to build on.

ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL OFFICERS:

- Chairman

Councilman Walford: We are very fortunate to have two members of our new Council who have served on the Council previously and both would be well qualified to lead us during this first six months, but if I could, I'd like to nominate Reverend James Green to be our first chairman.

Councilman Walford nominated Councilman Green as Chairman, seconded by Councilman Carmody. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, Jackson, Lester and Walford. 7. Nays: None.

Chairman Green: Thank you. Lets give Mike a great big hand for doing such a great job. Thank you very much for this opportunity and may God Bless you and certainly we will work together and I promise to do a great job. And as the Mayor said about partnership, certainly we will make a great partnership out of this Council, with the Administration, and with the Mayor. At this time we will move to nomination for Vice Chair.

- Vice Chairman

Councilman Jackson nominated Councilman Walford as Vice Chairman, seconded by Councilman Carmody. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, Jackson, Lester and Walford. 7. Nays: None.

- Appointment of Clerk of Council

Motion by Councilman Carmody to appoint Arthur Thompson as Clerk of Council, seconded by Councilman Jackson. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, Jackson, Lester and Walford. 7. Nays: None.

- Appointment of Deputy Clerks of Council

Mr. Thompson: My recommendation is Dianne Lee and Lynette Oliver.

Motion by Councilman Carmody to appoint Dianne Lee and Lynette Oliver as Deputy Clerks, seconded by Councilman Walford. Motion approved by the following vote: Councilmen Carmody, Gibson, Green, Hogan, Jackson, Lester and Walford. 7. Nays: None.

Councilman Green: Thank you. At this time, this is all that is to come before this body at this particular time.

The meeting adjourned. at 12:20 p.m.

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James Green, Chairman

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Arthur G. Thompson, Clerk of Council